BAKU: Azerbaijan Expects Advances In Garabagh Conflict Settlement Fr

AZERBAIJAN EXPECTS ADVANCES IN GARABAGH CONFLICT SETTLEMENT FROM ILHAM ALIYEV’S VISIT TO RUSSIA

Azerbaijan Business Center
April 16 2009

Baku, Fineko/abc.az. President Ilham Aliyev has left for Moscow for
an official visit on 16-17 April on the invitation of his Russian
counterpart Dmitry Medvedev.

Azerbaijani sources say that within the visit it is possible
to expect new advances from Russia in the area pf settlement of
Armenian-Azerbaijan Nagorno Garabagh conflict.

"Azerbaijan has a chance for additional support of its fair position
as Russia is not interested in opening of Turkish-Armenian border
and Armenia’s heel to the West," a source said.

Yesterday Ilham Aliyev received Matthew Braiza, US co-chair of the
OSCE Minsk Group.

At the same time Russian sources indicate that presidents Medvedev
and Aliyev will discuss issues of energy co-operation and problems of
Caspian Sea legal status (3rd summit of Caspian states is expected
in Baku). In particular, on agenda is discussion of new perspective
directions of partnership in energy sector, in particular expansion
of Azeri gas sales market. In addition, it is expected that during
talks the parties will touch matters of Caspian Sea legal status and
"coordination of approaches towards multilateral co-operation in
the Caspian".

Discussion of actual international issues and regional problems are
likely to be focused as well. One of the central themes is Garabagh
conflict settlement.